Two more senior players have been released by Derby as the cash-strapped First Division outfit step up their fight for financial stability.

The Rams, believed to be more than £30million in the red, had already confirmed that a number of their first-team squad would be leaving Pride Park in the months ahead.

Former Scotland international Brian O'Neil and Fiachra McArdle are to leave, with the news following rumours that O'Neil and Scotland compatriot Craig Burley were top of the list of players to be paid off.

A spokesman confirmed: 'Brian O'Neil's contract has been cancelled by mutual
consent. Both his and Fiachra's deals were two of a number which the club
have been looking at in recent months.'

The Rams have also agreed settlements with Horacio Carbonari and Bjorn Otto Bragstad, whom will be leaving the club at the end of the year.

But they have denied any decision has been made over Burley's Pride Park future, with the spokesman adding: 'Nothing has been confirmed about Craig's position.'